Epilogue
entering your playground
Nick
The same way it was rare to find a bartender who could make an exceptional Ramos Gin Fizz, it was rare to be given an opportunity for redemption, for redefining something.
Luckily for me, not only had I mastered the Ramos Gin Fizz, but I also had been given an opportunity to redefine January second for Candy.
Been given might’ve been a bit inaccurate, seeing as I made this happen, but it could be argued that if we hadn’t had our Christmas season, then this wouldn’t have been possible.
Either way, I was turning this day that could’ve easily been tainted by the threat of divorce into something I knew would make my wife infinitely happy.
As I sat next to her in the backseat of the town car that drove us to Tribeca, I knew she was busting at the seams to find out exactly what I had up my sleeve, but I couldn’t tell her. Not yet.
Besides, she was busy enjoying the frozen hot chocolate I had our chef find the recipe for.
One call to the popular restaurant that made it famous, dropping our name and greasing palms, and he had been able to prepare her one before we left our penthouse.
I was a wise enough man to know that nothing should distract her when she was enjoying her favorite treat.
Candy had this way of going all in on savoring the decadent flavors and the rich experience she made it.
She rolled her lips, and a soft hum escaped her. Turning the straw to face me, she smiled. “You sure you don’t want a taste before I finish this?”
I grew up in Maine and was resilient to the cold, but I just couldn’t wrap my head around the cold treat in thirty-three-degree weather.
Yes, I’d indulge my wife and share in it with her on occasion, but it wasn’t something that held the same nostalgic charm for me as it did Candy.
I also detested brain freezes. It quite literally felt like my brain was being stored in an ice cube until it defrosted, and I could function properly again.
“No, you enjoy it,” I said, coaxing her to finish it before we arrived at our destination.
As her head dipped, I looked at the top of her head adorned in a silky, sheared demi buff mink hat and crystal fox fur trim.
It was a present I’d given her years ago to go with one of her coats.
The fact that she’d cherished it the way she obviously had made my heart glow.
Candy might’ve been materialistic, but she also had a heart of gold and was extremely sentimental.
Those were just some of my favorite things about her.
Another might’ve been the way she dominated a straw, pulling it between her teeth, sucking on it for all it was worth with puckered, swollen lips. Was she ever going to be finished with her frozen hot chocolate so my cock could have a fighting chance at not hardening?
No sooner had the driver stopped the car had Candy declared, “Okay, I’m done. Now, what are we doing in Tribeca?” Her gaze shot to her window as she looked up and smiled. “At the pinnacle of style?”
Of course, she’d call what an average person called a luxury department store the pinnacle of style. Only my wife…
“Indulge me.”
“Sweetheart, you never have to say those words to me when we’re sitting in front of my mothership. Naturally I’ll indulge you, but I’d still like to know what we’re doing here.” She looked at her watch. “Two hours before the store opens.”
Unable to resist any longer, I reached out and rolled her bottom lip with my thumb before pressing my lips to hers. “We’re redefining the way you’ll remember this day.”
I got out and walked to her side so I could open the door for her.
As her leather boots hit the sidewalk, the general manager walked out with an entire group of people waiting in the wings.
“Madame Crane,” he greeted Candy, poised to take her hand.
With a nod in my direction, he gently laid his lips on her knuckles in a move I detested, but I’d already told him to give her the royal treatment, so in a way it was all my own fault.
Using that logic, I resisted the urge to punch him in the face, and instead kept my hand firmly planted on the small of her back.
“Nick?” Candy turned to me, her doe eyes searching mine. “What is all of this?”
I leaned in and spoke in a whisper, my lips hovering far too close to the soft skin just below her ear that I would’ve easily devoured if we weren’t in public.
“This is you entering your playground. It’s all yours for the next two hours, and there might just be someone special waiting for you inside. ”
* * *
CANDY
As soon as I had set foot in the store, I was met by the great designer Rina Levana and her team, all standing at the ready, waiting for me.
Talk about someone special. And to think, she was here for me.
The feeling was unimaginable. A volcano erupted in my stomach, but instead of sending out hot lava, a million butterflies went wild.
I turned to peer at my husband. “Nick,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “You did all this for me?”
He nodded and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Go on. I’ll be right behind you.”
Rina Levana. In the flesh.
She walked up to me and smiled, her chic red bob the picture of perfection, just as the clothes on her body were. But they were her own designs, so that fact wasn’t all that surprising. Everything about her in person was better than I could’ve ever imagined.
“Candy, it’s so nice to meet you,” she said, her voice soft and angelic. If it was possible, I was pretty sure I was experiencing a girl crush on this woman. She’d been responsible for so many of the beautiful clothes that hung in my closet, so it was little wonder.
I had no idea how Nick pulled this off, but I was immensely glad that he had. “Likewise,” I responded, holding back my desire to shriek with giddiness like a little girl. “I just adore your designs. You’re one of my favorite designers. Thank you for bringing back pinstripes.”
She brushed hair behind her ear. “You’re too kind.
I do love pinstripes, and I’m so pleased to hear you do too,” she admitted, a soft blush coloring her cheeks.
“In fact, I hope that our mutual preference means you’ll enjoy what we have in store for you today.
Won’t you follow me?” she asked, making a sweeping gesture with her hand to her team, indicating that they should follow too.
I nodded and fell in step beside her, not needing to be asked twice.
We went up the escalator and walked the distance to the section of the store that I knew well. It was where Rina Levana originals usually hung. I could’ve walked here in my sleep. Today, though, a large white curtain and a love seat were set up.
Rina peeked behind the curtain, and I desperately wanted to rush over and stand at her side. I was perhaps a little too eager to see what was hidden back there. Not that anyone should have expected anything less from me. This was my fantasy come to life, after all.
When she finally nodded to someone back there, she drew it closed again, holding the edge of the curtain tight in her hand behind her back as she spun around to face me. “Are you ready for a preview of my new collection, Candy?”
Hyperventilating would’ve been tacky, so instead I concentrated hard on my breathing to avoid such a fate. Managing a nod, I tried to be as sophisticated as possible. “I would be honored.” I turned around and blew a kiss to Nick who was, as he had promised he would be, behind me.
She pulled back the curtain and revealed two racks of clothes that I was itching to see, maybe try on. No, no. That was presumptuous of me. No one said I’d be trying anything on. I just loved her designs so much. But I could wait until they released next season. I’d have to.
Slowly, Rina started moving some of the pieces, like she was searching for one in particular. Then her hand locked around a hanger, and I couldn’t stop myself from wishing it was my hand that would be touching the luxurious fabric.
My eyes peeled and locked on the hanger, I didn’t flinch as she withdrew the dress and smiled. “Let’s start with the pièce de résistance, no? Candy, meet Candy, one of my newest designs.”
Candy?
Could it be that she named the gown after me?
Impossible. It had to be nothing more than a mere coincidence.
But the sleeveless navy-blue drop-waist taffeta bustier gown with a portrait neckline was one of the most elegant things I had ever seen. I only hoped to be as elegant as that gown. It was perfect for a fall collection.
With my mouth agape, I couldn’t stop staring, and I think Rina saw that.
“I’d love for you to try it on. It appears it was made for you, my dear.”
“Its name…” I had to know.
“Was never appropriate. After talking to your sweet husband”—she made eye contact with Nick and nodded—“I see now that Candy is the perfect name for this design. Will you try it on?” With an outstretched hand, she waited for me to accept her offer.
Was she serious? Of course I would. This was the second most amazing, most spectacular thing to ever happen in my life. Second only to Nick and me reconnecting like we had last Christmas.
The End
Thank you so much for reading What Happens This Christmas.
This story has been in our minds for so long…
Actually since we first visited The Black Sheep in There Are No Words.
The only way it worked, though, was in this Christmas setting because we couldn’t stop imagining a Christmas-filled New York where Nick and Candy fall in love all over again, but during the most wonderful time of year.
When you separate Christmas from all the materialistic stuff, the magic of the season does have the tendency to make falling in love so easy, doesn’t it?
So, it would make our holidays if you could take a few minutes and give us a present in the form of an honest review of Nick and Candy’s story.
Much love,
Dani & Ryan xx
Can’t get enough of these characters? We’ve got you covered. Read the bonus scene.